Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Pat Wood, III today announced
the appointment of Joseph H. McClelland to be Director of the Commission's new
Division of Reliability in the Office of Markets, Tariffs and Rates. Mr. McClelland will
be responsible for developing policies, programs and strategies to promote and facilitate
the reliable and secure operation of the nation's bulk electric power market.

"Joe's extensive knowledge of power supply issues will be invaluable to the
Commission's reliability effort. His leadership will be important to our ultimate goal of
bringing reliable electric service to customers. The Commission is thankful to the Custer
Public Power District and recognizes their public-spirited contribution in releasing Joe to
be part of our team," Chairman Wood said.

Mr. McClelland currently serves as General Manager of the Custer Public Power
District, a member of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, headquartered
in Broken Bow, Nebraska. He began this position after twenty years of utility experience
with Allegheny Energy, headquartered in Hagerstown, Maryland. At Allegheny, he was
responsible for ensuring reliable and secure electric service for the utility's five-state
service area, which included 1.7 million customers. In addition, he oversaw wholesale
and bulk power supply contracts and directed economic development efforts.
Mr. McClelland holds a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from
The Pennsylvania State University.

Congress earmarked $5 million in the Commission's current fiscal-year budget for
reliability. The new division's staff will include 30 employees, primarily consisting of
electrical engineers.